Walter Etc. (FKA Walter Mitty And His Makeshift Orchestra) is the musical vehicle for singer / songwriter Dustin Cole Hayes. Formed as a bedroom project with childhood friend Kris Schobert in 2009, the band immediately carved out a unique sound of honest lyrics, eccentric acoustic instruments, and home recording charm. After several diy albums and tours, the band relocated to Portland, OR for several years and solidified a line up of Hayes, Schobert, Milk Flud, Russel Park, and Jake Lee. After 2014’s “Well Soon” and an extensive US tour including dates with Modern Baseball, the band went on an unofficial hiatus due to members’ pursuing careers, grad school, and mental health issues.

During this time, Hayes fell into a slump, longing to have his friends around and musically active, but instead using his time to write the band’s first electric album, Gloom Cruise, and revamp the band with Schobert and Park under the abbreviated moniker, Walter Etc. Produced by Jeff Rosenstock, Gloom Cruise was released in 2017 and was followed by extensive touring.